Few days left to save Chesterfield canal from Hs2

Chesterfield canal

There are only a few days left to save Chesterfield Canal - as consultation on plans for a high speed rail link draw to a close, campaigners say.

They believe regeneration work will be obliterated and wildlife sites destroyed - in the pathway of the proposed Hs2 line.

The proposed route will slice through the waterway at several points in Chesterfield, Renishaw and Killamarsh while the infrastructure for the proposed maintenance depot at Staveley would cut through the canal’s route at three further points. Rod Auton, of the canal trust, said: “The way it stands at the moment the canal will be completely obliterated.

“It is vital the government understands the depth of feeling amongst the general public that the restoration of the canal must not be blocked.”

Although the train will not stop in Derbyshire it will travel through the eastern edge of Chesterﬁeld borough near Staveley, Duckmanton, Poolsbrook, Woodthorpe and Mastin Moor as well as Killamarsh and Renishaw.

Consultation ends on January 31 and the trust is urging residents to have their say.

Mr Auton said future plans to restore the route had been put on hold as the group was unable to secure funding, with the threat of Hs2 hanging over their scheme.

The trust has submitted a formal objection to Hs2 and put forward a detailed plan showing an alternative route.

Ben Ruse, Hs2 lead spokesman said: “It is really important Hs2 works with local groups to ensure that our plans deal sensitively with areas of natural and historic significance like the Chesterfield Canal.

“Details of the route are still subject to consultation and, as such, may change as a result of the feedback we get. We are confident we’ll get the right solution.”